Commentators unravel 'totally weird' NFL for Chinese fans

BEIJING (Reuters) - As the Denver Broncos prepared to battle the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, China's top NFL announcers were going through their own pre-game rituals.

For Wang Zixing and Xiao Chen, game day meant waking before dawn and driving to the Beijing studio where they host a four-hour live streamed broadcast of NFL games for Chinese commuters - one of the fastest-growing fanbases of American football.

"From September to June, you have to get used to getting up very early," said Wang, now beginning his third year as an NFL commentator.

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Commentators bring NFL to China

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Commentators bring NFL to China

Chinese commentator Wang Zixing comments on a NFL American football game during a lifestream broadcast in a studio of the media and gaming firm Tencent Holdings in Beijing, China, October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Screens show Chinese commentators Xiao Chen (bottom L) and Wang Zixing (bottom C) as they broadcast a livestream commentary of a NFL American football game in the control room of a studio of the media and gaming firm Tencent Holdings in Beijing, China, October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Chinese commentator Wang Zixing has his makeup done before broadcasting a livestream commentary of a NFL American football game in a studio of the media and gaming firm Tencent Holdings in Beijing, China, October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Chinese commentator Wang Zixing adjusts his tie before broadcasting a livestream commentary of a NFL American football game in a studio of the media and gaming firm Tencent Holdings in Beijing, China, October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Chinese commentator Wang Zixing comments on a NFL American football game during a lifestream broadcast in a studio of the media and gaming firm Tencent Holdings in Beijing, China, October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Chinese commentator Wang Zixing poses for a picture after broadcasting a livestream commentary of a NFL American football game in a studio of the media and gaming firm Tencent Holdings in Beijing, China, October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Directors and technicians monitor the broadcast of a livestream commentary of a NFL American football game in the control room of a studio of the media and gaming firm Tencent Holdings in Beijing, China, October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

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American football is less popular than basketball and soccer in China, but fan numbers are growing quickly, as young people accustomed to streaming sports on mobile telephones get drawn in.

The NFL has been quick to seize on the trend, with February's Super Bowl championship game viewed by roughly 1.5 million online viewers in China.

This season the NFL scrapped domestic television partnerships in favor of streaming the games online via a partnership with China's top social media and gaming firm, Tencent Holdings Ltd.

But the sport's rapid growth and youthful fan base have exposed a shortage of Mandarin-speaking commentators who have the football knowledge to call a game.

Wang, who started as a commentator on National Basketball Association (NBA) games, moved into American football by accident when producers asked him to fill in at the last minute.

"I was very nervous and worried that I might explain the rules wrong," he said of that first experience.

Now, he says, translating the jargon is the toughest thing about explaining the game to China's young football fans.

For example, Wang said, he would sometimes use a basketball term, "pick and roll", to explain "blocking" in American football.

Ahead of Sunday's broadcast, Wang and Xiao spent time in the makeup room before running through the day's other NFL scores with the director.

They work at an anchor desk festooned with NFL logos, video screens and props, including a football and helmets of the two teams.

Broadening its online presence isn't the only play the NFL is dialing up in China.

In June, five-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady caused a stir on Chinese social media when he tossed a football on the Great Wall in a goodwill visit to promote the sport.

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Tom Brady's June trip to China

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US New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shakes hands with fans as he takes to the field during a promotional event in Shanghai on June 20, 2017.
Brady said after a training session that he wants the NFL to follow basketball's example and become a major sport in China. The five-time Super Bowl champion says he hopes to play an NFL game in China before his brilliant career ends. / AFP PHOTO / STR / CHINA OUT (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

US New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady stands on the field during a promotional event in Shanghai on June 20, 2017.
Brady said after a training session that he wants the NFL to follow basketball's example and become a major sport in China. The five-time Super Bowl champion says he hopes to play an NFL game in China before his brilliant career ends. / AFP PHOTO / STR / CHINA OUT (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

New England Patriots NFL quarterback Tom Brady takes part in a promotional training event in Shanghai, China June 20, 2017. REUTERS/Aly Song

New England Patriots NFL quarterback Tom Brady takes part in a promotional training event in Shanghai, China June 20, 2017. REUTERS/Aly Song

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But even a visit from the New England Patriots quarterback couldn't punt the game's popularity above basketball. The NBA final, also broadcast on Tencent's platform, was watched by a record 65.9 billion Chinese viewers in 2016.

"I'm a big fan, but if I'm honest I don't always get the rules," said Wang Ming, a 27-year-old technology blogger who began watching the NFL live stream this year.